Matthew 6:33 – “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Life has a way of pulling us in many directions at once. From the moment we wake up, our attention is claimed by responsibilities, expectations, needs, and desires. Work demands our energy, relationships require our presence, and the future constantly asks us to plan, prepare, and protect ourselves. In the midst of all this noise, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and unsure about what truly deserves first place in our lives.
Jesus understood this human tension deeply. In His well-known teaching recorded in Matthew 6, He speaks directly to the anxious heart: the heart that worries about provision, security, and tomorrow. Rather than condemning these concerns, Jesus gently redirects our focus. He invites us into a different way of living, one rooted not in fear or striving, but in trust. His words are both simple and profound: “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
At first glance, this instruction may sound abstract or even idealistic. After all, we live in a world that constantly reminds us to seek success, stability, recognition, and comfort. But Jesus is not dismissing our needs; He is redefining our priorities. He is teaching us that when God is placed at the center, everything else begins to fall into proper order.
So what does it truly mean to seek God’s Kingdom?
God’s Kingdom is not merely a distant future reality or a physical place we hope to reach someday. It is the active rule and loving reign of God breaking into the world here and now. It was revealed most clearly through the life and ministry of Jesus, through His compassion, His healing, His justice, His mercy, and His unwavering love. Wherever God’s will is embraced, wherever love triumphs over fear, and wherever grace reshapes hearts, the Kingdom is present.
To seek God’s Kingdom, then, is to align our hearts with what God is doing in the world. It is choosing to value what He values. It means allowing His purposes to shape our decisions, our relationships, and our sense of meaning. Rather than living only for ourselves, we begin to live with an awareness that our lives are part of something far greater than personal success or survival.
Jesus pairs this call with another: to seek God’s righteousness. This is not about rule-keeping or moral perfection. Instead, it is about living in right relationship—with God, with others, and with ourselves. It is a way of life shaped by integrity, humility, compassion, and faithfulness. To seek God’s righteousness is to desire a transformed heart: one that reflects God’s character in everyday choices.
When we pursue righteousness in this sense, our lives begin to reflect the values of the Kingdom. We become people who choose love over bitterness, generosity over greed, trust over anxiety, and obedience over self-reliance. This kind of living does not happen overnight, nor does it depend on human effort alone. It grows as we continually turn our attention toward God and allow His Spirit to guide us.
Jesus promises that when these two pursuits (God’s Kingdom and God’s righteousness) become our primary focus, everything else finds its rightful place. This does not mean life becomes effortless or free of challenges. It means we no longer carry the weight of life alone. Worry loses its grip because our confidence rests not in our ability to control outcomes, but in God’s faithfulness to provide.
When God is not first, anxiety quickly takes over. We begin to chase temporary solutions to eternal longings. We measure our worth by what we have or what we achieve, and peace becomes elusive. But when God is first, even ordinary moments are infused with purpose. Our work becomes meaningful, our relationships deepen, and our trust grows stronger, even in uncertain seasons.
Living with this perspective reshapes how we spend our time and energy. It invites us to pause and ask honest questions: What am I truly pursuing? What occupies my thoughts and drives my decisions? Am I seeking God out of obligation, or am I seeking Him because I trust Him?
Jesus’ invitation is not a burden; it is a gift. He calls us to release the exhausting pursuit of self-sufficiency and to embrace a life anchored in divine care. When we seek God first, we discover that He is already attentive to our needs. He knows them better than we do, and He delights in meeting them in His perfect timing.
Today, take a moment to reflect on where your attention is most often directed. Consider how you might intentionally place God at the center of your daily life, not through striving, but through trust. As you seek Him, you will find that He is faithful to order your steps, calm your fears, and supply what you need. Seek Him first and watch everything else fall into place.
Amen.
SIX KEY TAKEAWAY POINTS
Life constantly competes for our attention, but Jesus invites us to reorder our priorities around God:
Seeking God first brings clarity and peace amid life’s demands.
God’s Kingdom is His active rule of love, grace, and truth at work in the world today: Seeking it means aligning our lives with what God is doing.
God’s righteousness is about transformed living, not religious performance: It reflects a heart shaped by love, integrity, and trust.
When God is not first, worry and anxiety often take control:
When He is first, peace and purpose begin to take root.
Seeking God does not eliminate challenges, but it changes how we face them:
Trust replaces fear when we rely on God’s provision.
Jesus’ call to seek first is an invitation to rest, not to strive:
God delights in caring for those who place their confidence in Him.
